Karnataka CM: Only Registered Voters to Receive Government Scheme Benefits

Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar announced on Friday that benefits from government schemes will be exclusively available to individuals whose names appear on the electoral rolls. This directive aims to streamline the distribution of state welfare programs and ensure they serve the intended beneficiaries within Karnataka.

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Only voters whose names are in the electoral roll will be beneficiaries of government schemes. Therefore, during the Special Intensive Revision, beneficiaries should ensure that their names are not left out

During a review meeting at Vidhana Soudha, Shivakumar specifically mentioned the 'Gruha Jyothi' scheme, which provides 200 units of free electricity per household. Access to this and other state guarantee schemes will now be restricted to registered voters. He urged citizens to verify their inclusion in the electoral rolls during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process to avoid exclusion.

The Chief Minister emphasized the need for stricter verification measures to prevent the misuse of schemes. "Our state’s schemes should benefit only beneficiaries of Karnataka. We have found that voters from other states are receiving these benefits. This must be stopped," he stated. Shivakumar stressed that while preventing ineligible beneficiaries is crucial, the administration must ensure that no eligible family is deprived of support.

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Not a single eligible beneficiary should face any hardship. Our focus should only be on stopping ineligible beneficiaries and preventing misuse of the schemes.

The meeting also addressed concerns regarding irregularities in welfare delivery systems, including instances where 'Gruha Lakshmi' scheme funds were channeled through single bank accounts for multiple beneficiaries, amounting to approximately ₹60 crore across about three lakh installments. Shivakumar ordered a halt to such practices and directed that benefits be confined within the state. The five guarantee schemes include 'Gruha Jyothi' (free electricity), 'Gruha Lakshmi' (₹2,000 monthly for women heads of families), 'Anna Bhagya' (10 kg rice per BPL family member), 'Yuva Nidhi' (unemployment stipend for graduates), and 'Shakti' (free bus travel for women).

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Our state’s schemes should benefit only beneficiaries of Karnataka. We have found that voters from other states are receiving these benefits. This must be stopped